Secondhand smoke from cannabis consumption was a concern relayed to Powell River city councillors.
At the November 3 committee of the whole meeting, councillors discussed correspondence from Barbara Simmen, who brought up concerns about smoking, especially since the legalization of marijuana.
Simmen stated that a neighbour regularly smokes marijuana outdoors and she is allergic to it.
“I pay my taxes, and as a homeowner, I believe that I have as much right as anyone else to enjoy my outdoors,” Simmen stated. “I would like to see consumers of marijuana keep their smoking indoors, unless they have enough space to do so, like half an acre of land between two properties in order not to bother their neighbours.”
Simmen asked councillors to change the city smoking bylaw.
“Changing this bylaw, like other cities have done, would be the only solution for disrespectful citizens to be more mindful of others,” stated Simmen.
Councillor Jim Palm said it is similar to the chicken issue the city is dealing with, when odours occur.
“Now we have the same situation starting to rear its ugly head in terms of small lots and people constantly smoking marijuana and bothering neighbours,” said Palm. “I’m sure council also saw this week there was another letter we received via email where a resident wrote they have an asthmatic child and when they go to some of the functions here in the regional district or in the city that are music-related, because of the legalization, there is a lot of smoking of marijuana in these gatherings. It’s adverse to their child.”
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said when council sponsored a series of meetings on cannabis legalization, smoke from inconsiderate neighbours was one of the concerns expressed.
“I’m at a loss to see how you could control that with a bylaw,” said Hathaway. “The only other alternative is court action but that’s pretty dramatic.”
Mayor Dave Formosa suggested the prospect of changing the bylaw like other cities have done. He said perhaps some examples can be found, and that the letter writer could be contacted, asking for some examples she may have.
“It would be worth reaching out and asking for some examples that she figures may help us so we could have another look at it, but other than that we should note and file the letter,” said Formosa.
Palm said he appreciates the mayor’s comments and wanted to know if staff was being directed to look at what other locales are doing.
Corporate officer Chris Jackson said staff have noted the letter and it will be part of a bylaw review.
“I have a great deal of sympathy for people who want us to do something about it,” said Palm. “However, I have not a lot of confidence in terms of enforcement, that we can actually do anything about it. It’s the same as our smoking bylaw when it came forward about 10 years ago. We banned smoking on patios in restaurants and whatever, but in terms of enforcement, it’s a very difficult thing.”
The committee voted to receive the letter.
